Valaris 104 arrives in Indonesia for Mako gas project MOPU conversion

The Valaris 104 jackup has arrived at PaxOcean's Batam shipyard for conversion into a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) for the Mako gas development, while topsides fabrication and key subsea packages continue to advance ahead of first gas targeted for late 2027.
Related To: 
Oct. 15, 2026
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Why this news matters

  • The arrival of the Valaris 104 marks a key execution milestone for the Mako gas development as the project moves from planning into major offshore infrastructure construction. 

  • Progress on topsides fabrication, SURF engineering, and pipeline commissioning activities supports the project's target of first gas in the fourth quarter of 2027. 

  • The project is positioned to supply gas into Indonesia's domestic market, with PLN EPI contracted to purchase all of Mako's production.

 

Courtesy Conrad Asia Energy Ltd.
Valaris 104 arrival at Batam

The Valaris 104 jackup rig arrived at Batam, Indonesia, where it will undergo conversion into a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) for development of the Mako gas field in the Natuna Sea.

Mako project at a glance:

  • Location: Duyung PSC, Natuna Sea, offshore Indonesia

  • Operator: WNEL

  • Parent company: Conrad Asia Energy

  • Development concept: MOPU

  • Gas buyer: PLN EPI

  • Target first gas: Q4 2027

The Valaris 104 jackup has reached the PaxOcean shipyard in Batam Island, Indonesia, where it will undergo conversion to a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) for the Mako gas project.

Parent company for operator West Natuna Exploration Ltd. (WNEL), Conrad Asia Energy, reported Oct. 13 the rig was able to transit through the Strait of Hormuz in September.

This followed planning, regulatory coordination and operational risk management activity cross multiple jurisdictions.

MOPU contractor PT Duta Marine/PT Pakarti Tirtoagung employed maritime operator GAC Logistics, working with regional authorities, naval task forces, classification bodies and marine warranty surveyors.

Marine insurance, technical approvals and passage plans were all in place prior to departure.

Fabrication of the MOPU topside modules has started. Engineering and procurement for the conductor support frame and subsea umbilical, riser and flowline (SURF) packages are also progressing.

PLN EPI will purchase 100% of Mako’s gas production: “gas-In” commissioning of the WNTS-Pemping subsea pipeline, part of the delivery route for the Mako gas into Batam, has been completed.

The Mako development, in the Duyung PSC in the Natuna Sea, remains on track for first gas in fourth-quarter 2027.

About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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